Youngster Sourav Das lost the ball to Murilo Almeida, who took it forward into the box and passed it on to Joachim on the right. The Frenchman made no mistake in beating goalkeeper Shilton Paul through a right footer and stunning the home fans.

Bagan showed better coordination and made some penetrations even as a spirited Chennai gave its best.

Bagan was unlucky to miss out on an equaliser in the 27th minute. Abhishek Das gave a fine ball to Sk. Faiaz, whose precise pass into the box was instantly shot by Ansumana Kromah. However, it rebounded off the crosspiece.

Bagan's intensity helped it draw parity. Pradeep Mohanraj, who made a fine header clearance, was guilty of committing a goal-line handball. The Chennai midfielder received a red card and his team conceded a penalty in the 35th minute. Kromah wrong-footed custodian Uros Poljanec to make it 1-1.

Despite a string of attacks from Bagan, Chennai, led by a hard-working Almeida, fought bravely.

A fine effort in the 71st minute enabled Chennai to regain lead. Almeida won a corner and Kyrgyz import Shumeiko rose to meet Soosairaj's shot from the left to score another spectacular goal.

Chennai came close to scoring another when Timorese Almeida's strike hit the bar in the closing minutes.

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